By and by, we'll cut the rye,
But I bet my hat I drink that, I drink that.
Drive this mower a little slower,
In this wheat, in this wheat, by and by."
The larks scolded, fluttering over head, for at times the reaper
overtook their belated broods. The bobolinks danced and chattered
on stumps and fences, in an agony of suspense, when their nests
were approached, and cried pitifully if they were destroyed. The
chewinks flashed from the ground to the fences and trees, and back,
crying "Che-wink?" "Che-wee!" to each other, in such excitement
that they appeared to be in danger of flirting off their long tails.
The quail ran about the shorn fields, and excitedly called from fence
riders to draw their flocks into the security of Rainbow Bottom.
Frightened hares bounded through the wheat, and if the cruel blade
sheared into their nests, Dannie gathered the wounded and helpless
of the scattered broods in his hat, and carried them to Mary.
Then came threshing, which was a busy time, but after that,
through the long hot days of late July and August, there was little
to do afield, and fishing was impossible. Dannie grubbed fence
corners, mended fences, chopped and corded wood for winter, and in
spare time read his books. For the most part Jimmy kept close to
Dannie. Jimmy's temper never had been so variable. Dannie was
greatly troubled, for despite Jimmy's protests of devotion, he
flared at a word, and sometimes at no word at all.
Pages:
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134